Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-26

THoMAsToS May %.
Inc Governor, council and prison inspec.
tors visited Thomaston, Wednesday. The
council came from Portland to Rockland
Tuesday night, the Governor arriving on the
morning train. 1t has been a busy dav at
the State Prison. All the forenoon the conn.
ell listened to pleas of the prisoners for par.
don.
AS soon as the convicts learned that the
Governor and council were at Thomaston
there was general stampede to see them.
In five minutes Warden Bean handed in
list OF thirty names who wanted an interview.
The council seated themselves in the war
den's office at nine o'clock, and the regula-
ton suits were trotted In. 1t wasa pictur-
esque scene but no one was pardoned
Lots of good advice did several of the dis
tinguished members of the council vouchsafe,
to which the convicts bowed and scraped and
grinned. The council were entertained bv
scriptural extracts, laments, tears, fervent
appeals to their cold sympathes, pleas of
innocence, consumption, and all the ailments
to which this human flesh is heir to, and all
sorts of f1imsy arguments under the sun.
One man read from big piece of brown
paper long and breezy account of sudden
conversion behind the bars. As he reeled of
a confession he bowed his mead at the feet OF
Councilman Lord for the councilman to pat
him OF the head and say he was II good tel
| loW hut the councilman didn't no,
way. The convict, drying up his tears as
best he could, went back to the workshop to
toll few years longer.
Another ugly looking fellow with bat
eye, run his hands wildly through his hail
and cursen the luck that brought him there
Warden Bean, the officers of the prison, and
even his prison cell.
He is one of the most Vicious prisoners the
warden has to deal with, and the dungeon i.
the only thing that will tame him.
Several life term men made their debut
with claims that it were justice they be LEI
off scot free, and one of them seemed to be
indignant because the council didn't justify
him in knocking his mother in the head and
hacking her to pieces.
One convict wanted to know if he could
write letter to London to get track of a mil
lion rich uncle had left HIM. The council
told him to write and get the million if he
could Warden Bean says he is cracked in
the upper story.
A stump speech was listened to from one
convict who had deep bass voice and long,
bonv fingers, with which he gestuated like R
mad man.
Another came into the warden's office with
a broad grin and said 'How dye do?" and
went back to limbo with the same grin.
None of the women sent in their names.
The council were interviewed by conv'cts
of all sizes and ages, and guilty of all kinds
of crimes-murderers, burglars, forgers, po-
lygamists, etc.
The council took an excursion into the
guard room at high noon, when the prison
bell tolIed, and took look at the prisoners
coming out of the workshops. in line, with
their dinner pals on their arms, single file,
tramping to their cells.
(IOulu AUu WSiS III thS iihS' ~ ''"'
raining, and as Gould came out of the shops
he shivered little and buttoned his coat col
lar tight around his neck. He looked up to
the window and saw the governor and coun-
Gil and hurried out of sight.
The prison garb is becoming to Graves; he
looks firstrate. Graves hasn't been here
long enough to learn how to keep in good
line in the single file drill. He is in the
trimming shop. The warden says Graves is
quite genius, handy with tools, and is going
to make good workman. The warden is
now experimenting with him to find out the
place where he fits best. He is as docile as
a spring lamb.
The discussion of the prison labor problem
was entered into this afternoon.
Gov. Bodwell brought along with him
trunk with patent hinge that Msssachu'
setts man wants to sell and allow the same to
he manufactured at the prison. Among the
other industries suggested and discussed al
length were furniture, jack saddles, pads and
h,usings. tin ware, brooms, baskets. lime
casks, trunks, boats, passenger cars, toys
etc.
This afternoon the list of conviets who
wanted 70 be heard grew to such alarming
oronortions that one of the councilmen sug-
eested the prisoners be detailed in squads.
Governor Bodwell signed contract with
the Rockland and Camden water company
for water supply for ten years.
The council will leave Wednesday night
on special train for Portland.